History: Greenwood, Wis. Water Tower Construction (1911)

Contact: janet@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Shanks

----Source: Community Photo Album

A water tower was constructed for the city of Greenwood, Wisconsin during the summer of 1911.  John Shanks was mayor at that time.  The postcard photo above shows the structure during construction, before the top was added.  The pumphouse can be seen at ground level directly beneath the tower.

This picture was included in a collection belonging to Donna Baird Larson and provided to this site by Dolores Zukowski.

The height of the water tower creates pressure for the outflow.  Each foot of elevation provides .43 PSI (pounds per sq. inch).  The tower must be tall enough to supply adequate pressure to all of the recipients.  Its effect can be increased by high ground construction.  A major advantage of the water tower is realized by the constant flow of water it provides, even during peak demands.  When more water is pumped then needed, the excess rises to fill the tank above and is stored for ready use during increased demand.

Research by Pat Braun

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (6/03/1911)

The spring election was a quiet one this year.  Something over one hundred votes were cast, except for county superintendent, quite a number of women taking part and raising the number to over 130.  There were two candidates for police justice, the only office contested.

The local option vote resulted in favor of of license, the vote being 68 to 46. 

The vote on the water tower proposition was nearly two to one in favor of erecting the tower, the vote being 63 to 35.

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (6/22/1911)

The contract for the new tower and tank which are to provide pressure for fire protection has been awarded and the same will be built this summer.

At its meeting Tuesday evening the council let the contract to the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. for $3,250.  For this sum the tower and tank will be built complete, and will include one block of water main from the tower to the corner of Division Street and Andrews Avenue.

The tower will be erected on the northeast corner of the city lot, and will be 80 feet to the bottom of the tank and 106 feet in all.  The capacity of the tank will be 40,000 gallons.  The work must be completed by Sept. 1st.

The city will have to lay two blocks of water main from the hydrant on Division Street to the pumping station on the corner of Andrews and Begley Streets.

----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (1/11/1912)

Since the completion of the water tower and tank which has given this city much better fire protection, the local insurance agents have applied for a re-rating of insurance rates for the city.  The Re-rating that was made and is now in effect is a great deal lower than the old rate.  In many cases it is one-fourth lower and in some cases as much as one-half.  Property owners are well pleased with the new rating and the large saving it effects them.